Second Annual Changing Diabetes Day Brings Information and Fun to our Area

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Event sponsored by Signature Healthcare and Novo Nordisk Kicks Off Week Long Series of Free Events Aimed at “Knocking Down” Diabetes

Signature Healthcare will partner with Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company focusing on diabetes care and other community partners to host a diabetes community awareness day – Changing Diabetes – at the Shaw’s Center in Brockton on June 8th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This free interactive event is open to the public. Highlights include healthy cooking demonstrations, child fitness classes sponsored by the Stoughton YMCA, special guest appearances, a variety of health screenings, and an “Ask the Expert” area.

The June 8th Diabetes Community Awareness Day offers a variety of information and activities centered on diabetes and pre-diabetes education, along with guidelines and tips for proper nutrition and exercise. The event features opportunities for attendees to talk with certified diabetes educators, nutritionists, fitness experts, local outreach and health enrollment specialists, among others. A variety of free screenings and exams will be available, including those for: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and a series of Vascular Screenings.

Brockton Mayor Linda Balzotti will attend to issue a Diabetes Day proclamation. All attendees will receive a voucher for a free ticket to the Brockton Rox game on Family Fun Day, June 9th, in addition to the opportunity to win great raffle prizes – Adult and Children’s bicycles as well as Duffle bags with wellness items inside.

A recent study commissioned by Novo Nordisk and conducted by the Institute for Alternative Futures (IAF) found that in 2012, there were 557,200 people in Massachusetts with diabetes, and approximately 207,000 of them were undiagnosed and beginning to suffer from the common complications of diabetes, including eye, kidney, lower extremity, and heart damage. Another 1,693,600 Massachusetts residents have pre-diabetes, a condition in which the blood sugar level is higher than normal but not yet in the range for diabetes. In 2010, Massachusetts deaths attributable to diabetes equaled 4,320, and total diabetes cost of care hovered at $5.3 billion. Those numbers are expected to grow in 2015 to 5,400 and $6.6 billion, respectively.

There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Those who suffer from Type 1 are born with a genetic pre-disposition to the disease, while those with Type 2 develop it later in life and suffer from insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. Both require control through diet, exercise and consistent monitoring and adjusting of blood sugar levels.

This event kicks off a one-week series of free events for the community intended to help residents understand diabetes, control their weight and improve their health, such as “Tai Chi for Health” and “Healthy Low Cost Meals for your Family.” These free workshops, seminars and events sponsored by community partners require registration, and there will be prizes and giveaways at most of the events.